Outside. Finally, they were going to go outside.

Livia rose to the surface while being held in Triton’s arms like a child. The moment light touched her face, she unconsciously lifted her head toward the sun with a bright expression.

Who knew this intense sunlight pouring over her face could be so welcome and warm? As she was enjoying the hot sunlight that felt almost stinging with her whole face, a large hand cast shade over Livia’s face.

“You need to be careful. The sun is more violent than you think.”

Triton raised waves to cast shadows around Livia. He seemed ready to completely wrap her up by even making a roof with waves, as if it wasn’t just concern about sunlight.

“Triton.”

Livia shook her head with a solemn expression and voice. Triton, who had been pretending not to notice while caressing her cheek, finally lowered the height of the waves as Livia’s frown deepened.

“Please allow at least this much.”

Triton shaped water into a leaf form and placed it over her head. It covered only her head while not blocking her view.

Though she could have rolled around in the sun all day if she wanted, as he said, her face would burn if she did that during such strong sunlight. A slight shade would rather make the outing more pleasant, so Livia nodded greatly as if this much was fine.

“I wonder if I should thank you for allowing it.”

At his words delivered with a self-deprecating smile, Livia tightly hugged Triton’s neck and pressed her cheek against him. Perhaps the joy of finally achieving her desired result after their long standoff had made her relaxed, as she unconsciously kissed his cheek.

At that moment Triton stiffened and froze, but Livia didn’t notice and just brightly smiled while feeling the wind.

“It’s refreshing… I feel alive. It’s so nice.”

Livia, who was deeply breathing in the sea breeze tickling her face, impulsively whispered while looking at Triton with a smile.

“I wish this moment could last forever, Triton.”

The joy of coming outside after being confined, could this fleeting moment where she could just be happy without recalling any worries or concerns not continue forever?

But the moment she thought that, all the postponed worries came flooding back.

Lete, the witch, the curse, and Triton…

“If you want, I can make this moment last forever for you, Livia.”

Triton’s words seeped into Livia’s heart like spring rain. His eyes looking at her were undoubtedly filled with affection.

Triton loves me.

The god of the sea loves me.

At that undeniable proposition, Livia’s heart boiled with overwhelming emotion. She couldn’t believe that this beautiful and great god would look at her, a mere human, with such an expression and eyes.

Perhaps that’s why. Ridiculously, the past days of being confined were quickly forgotten because of it. Even though she had been crushed to death by his hands, Livia erased everything because of Triton’s gaze toward her.

Triton helped Livia up onto a reef. After caressing his face for a while sitting there, Livia spoke in a trembling voice.

“Looking back now, I think seeking revenge for my family was my selfishness.”

There was nothing to gain by avenging Livia’s family. It wouldn’t erase the pain of her family who burned to death, nor would it bring back those who had crossed to the afterlife.

But if I don’t take revenge, the villagers will never reflect on their evil deeds. They will live well, eating and living off the sheep and ships they stole after k*lling me and my family. Even if my family couldn’t come back to life, I couldn’t just watch that happen.

“But even if I could go back in time, I would make the same choice. Because that was my only option regarding you.”

“……”

“Maybe, I just didn’t want to die like that.”

If I died, I couldn’t do anything, so I just didn’t want to die like that.

But it was also true that she had entered a path of self-destruction while holding the witch’s hand. She was so foolish. But she doesn’t regret it.

Because it led to meeting you.

“If we could turn back time, Livia.”

Triton held both her cheeks and whispered.

“Then I would find you first, not Echidna.”

“……”

“I would grant your wish and make sure you don’t feel any pain. I wouldn’t kill you carelessly. I wouldn’t torment you. If only we could turn back time.”

His words truly warmed Livia’s heart.

The warmth she had only felt among family was pooled in this cold sea god’s palm. With tears on her face, Livia smiled brightly and leaned her cheek into his hand as she whispered.

“Do you regret hurting me?”

At her question, Triton smiled while furrowing his brow. His deep voice scattered on the sea breeze before burrowing into Livia’s ears.

“Yes, Livia.”

“……”

“I regret k*lling you.”

“……”

“I regret making you lonely and hurting you.”

Her heart beat so fiercely it ached. His words and voice seemed to squeeze deep into her heart through her fingertips.

A tingling sensation like pain wrapped around her entire body. For some reason, her nose tingled and her eyes reddened. Her eyes suddenly became hot.

“I’m happy, Triton.”

With eyes welling up with tears, she smiled brightly and gently pressed her lips to his while whispering.

“I’m happy that you said that.”

Their touching lips carefully held each other.

Without any roughness or urgency, the two bodies that had been carefully drawing each other in slowly separated.

Livia’s gaze, which had been caressing his cheek, suddenly fell on his heart. Her eyes widened.

“…This.”

A clear red light shone over his heart. Even though she hadn’t done anything, his heart was glowing bright red. As her trembling hand traced over his chest, a low moan escaped Triton’s lips.

“I didn’t do anything, so why is this…”

At her confused, stammering voice, Triton let out a laugh. He kissed the fingers caressing his heart area and said.

“Because everything about you makes my heart red, Livia.”

He smiled suggestively and pulled Livia close again, whispering intimately.

“We haven’t done it yet while I’m in merman form, have we?”

“…!”

Before she could resist in surprise, Livia’s body was pulled under the sea.

Bubbles rose up and enveloped Livia, with a beautiful silver-blue tail flashing past her shocked gaze.

A rock touched Livia’s stiffened back. The tongue delving between her parted lips was rough.

Livia’s struggling hands finally wrapped around his neck. Actually, she too had been curious about him in his merman state.

She could finally see his merman form that she couldn’t fully take in when he was in his divine form, being as massive as a mountain. He was truly the most beautiful being in this sea.

Livia willingly surrendered herself to this ecstatic man.

Thump. THUMP!

The reef that rose above the sea shook roughly, and the waves wrapping around the reef churned violently without reason for quite some time. Probably for quite a long time indeed.

***

Lord of the Sea, the island you prepared is incredibly comfortable and pleasant.

Especially how the whirlpool surrounding the island allows no one to approach, that part is very fitting for this island of Hecate.

I felt I must thank you for your efforts in preparing such a nice place, so I pondered for quite a while. About ways your companion might be able to break free from Echidna’s spell.

You said you would even give your heart for your companion.

Then… perhaps, could you also give your tail?

From Hecate.